In 2000 Giovanni Corvaja traveled from his studio in Padua Italy to exhibit his work at SOFA NYC and speak as a guest of the Art Jewelry Forum. Mr. Corvaja is an internationally recognized studio goldsmith. He describes himself as “extremely passionate about the magic and unrealized possibilities of gold.” True to his passion, his work amazes collectors with the beauty of masterful craftsmanship and profound complexity. He creates fascinating universes within the small space of a brooch. Nothing is hidden, yet it requires a very close look fully appreciate “the magic of infinity” that his work explores and achieves. He asks that his collectors be curious. Corvaja work rewards a curious mind. The closer you look the more beautiful his work becomes.
Corvaja demonstrates an expert command of every aspect of goldsmithing, and is recognized for a distinctive mastery of working with ultra fine gold wire, colored alloys and granulation. He has exhibited in countless solo and group exhibitions worldwide and his work is held collections of the most renowned museums. He studied with the master goldsmith Francesco Pavan and attended the Royal College of Art in London. Currently he is creating on a new body of work inspired by the mythology of the Golden Fleece.
Ms. Kang of Urbana, IL, won this first ever award which was announced at the annual conference of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) in Cambridge, MA.
“Our goal was to acknowledge promise, innovation and individuality,” according to Gail M. Brown, Independent Curator and Art Jewelry Forum member who was instrumental in bringing the idea of this award to fruition. “Ms. Kang clearly met all three of these attributes,” she concluded.
Ms. Brown was joined in judging by Bob Ebendorf, Belk Distinguished Professor of Art at East Carolina University, and collector Judy Bloomfield, a founding AJF member and American Craft Council trustee.
This competition is open to makers of art jewelry who have not been a featured artist in a commercial gallery and who have or shortly will enter the professional world. If still a student, the entrant must graduate before August in the year of the award.
“Presentation of this award marks a milestone for the Art Jewelry Forum,” said Sharon Campbell, President. “This is part of fulfilling our mission to nurture the field of contemporary art jewelry. Awards such as this will help to raise the visibility of the art form and encourage new entrants to the field. We look forward to this being an annual event.”